levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

So I bought an Inspiron E1505 about 2 years ago. I got it fully loaded with all the software, upgraded everything. I paid $1500 for this thing. It hasn't been a bad pc although I did have to replace the HD once.

Well after 2 years of use it obviously shows some signs of use and the screen flops around loosly.

Here's is where it has become a total pain in the ***. I have called dell 4 times, chatted with them online twice and none of those ******* can SELL me the correct parts. None of the customer service people know a damn thing about their products and you have to pay to talk to someone in the technical dept.

I paid Dell $1500 for a laptop and now its become a total pain in the *** just tryin to buy replacement parts.

I will never in my life buy anything else from them again.

Rant over thanks for reading.
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y8s

iTrader: (8)

FUJITSU : Fujitsu Computer Systems - Tablet PCs, Notebooks for Consumer when you're ready to move on.

I bought my tablet in june 06 and it has been 100% rock solid awesome the whole time. I honestly can't think of a fault other than the tablet pen doesn't stay clipped in very well. It's traveled and tuned the miata and been used for audio testing and it was worth every penny.

it replaced a dell inspiron 8600 for many of the reasons you just described. floppy monitor, unavailable replacement parts, endemic design flaws (a circuit on the mobo dies easily and then the battery wont charge), poor screen contrast, shitty keyboard, etc etc etc.

tip 2: dont buy a Toshitba.

Atlanta93LE

iTrader: (5)

My main laptop (6 year-old Toshiba, still kickin') had both hinges break from old age. I was able to buy hinges from non-Toshiba-affiliated parts places. I'd look around online; you're bound to find some. But don't expect them to be cheap.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

flip laptop over
locate two screws holding screen
tighten

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Yeah, I found these people Parts-People.com - Dell Laptop Parts and Service - HOME and ordered what I needed with no problem.

I just think its sad that you can't get even decent service from Dell. Hell I could barely understand what they were saying half the time.
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Braineack

iTrader: (62)

you have a thing against indians?

y8s

iTrader: (8)

fixed.

you should see my FIRST dell laptop. it was a used one my gf bought me. it's so broke it makes me giggle. but it still works a little.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

My E1505 is starting to show it's wear, but I really can't blame it:

-I dropped it off a 4ft workbench a year ago and it didn't even shut off
-My dog ate the "page up" key off the keyboard
-I carry it by the screen (and only the screen) on a daily basis
-I never shut it off

My only gripe is that the battery life spans are crap, but they've replaced two of them for me under warranty.

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Thats another thing, this thing eats through the battery. Forget watching a 2hr movie. This thing also get hot as hell, hot enough that its uncomfortable on your bare skin.
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Saml01

iTrader: (9)

It was a shitty laptop from the very beginning, everything you say is not at all surprising.

Shitty battery life? Yea, common. They even had a battery recall at one point because laptops were catching on fire. Also, depending on the age of the battery it may just be old. Get a new one from China for 40 bucks and enjoy. Not to mention that it has the first iterations of centrino. What do you expect?


As for parts. They dont normally sell individual parts. Its just that simple. If you really really want one the only way you may have a chance in hell of getting one off of them is to get transferred to a US based English speaking supervisor.

What parts do you need anyway?

Newbsauce

iTrader: (2)

When dell became mainstream the quality turned into a chinese sweatshop. The OLD dells were like rocks. I believe Tom can attest to that with his 15 lb laptop from like 1985.

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Inside the screen housing there is a metal frame that holds the screen in place and attaches to the hinges. I need that frame because the part that screws to the hinges is rivited to the metal frame and the rivets all came loose so now the screen just flops around and it wont close right. I called Dell several time andf they couldn't confirm that it came with the screen kit (atlest I didnt trust they knew what i really needed). Every time I called I was quoted different prices, anywhere from $4.99 to $500. I found the place I mentioned earlier, called them up and got what I needed with no pain. Only cost $35.00.
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Saml01

iTrader: (9)

Why not just JB weld?

Bullshit.

The quality of the machines from 4 - 5 years ago was atrocious. Hinges wobbling in a month, batteries dieing or catching on fire, overheating, warped keyboards, breaking vga outputs, failing touch pads, flaking finish, blue screening, and failing video cards, was considered normal for their machines. If you didnt have complete care, you were boned plain and simple.

Todays machines are really frigging good compared to the days of yore. Not the same quality as IBM(frankly nothing is like IBM/Lenovo) but its better.

I am not a dell *****, but seeing as how I have owned about 6 laptops of different brands since 2004. I can easily comment on whats hot and whats not. Not to mention how many laptops I have fixed during that time.

cardriverx

iTrader: (12)

well im glad I have a xps laptop, the xps customer service rocks. all people in america and they know their ****.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

bullshit again. Lenovo is a chinese sweatshop. I have a relatively new T61p for work and while it's been reliable so far (under a year, sits on a dock, closed), the build quality looks roughly along the lines of 1979 domestic auto manufacturers. cheap, plasticky, wide gaps, keys in weird places... if I had to use it as a laptop on a daily basis, I'd be upset about it.

Saml01

iTrader: (9)

Stop smoking whatever it is you are smoking.

You can throw an IBM down a flight of stairs and it will be fine.

Sorry that the laptop doesnt come clad in leather, and mahogany. Its rubberized plastic, and magnesium. Its designed to be light and durable, not pretty. You want pretty, go get an Acer.

My X60s has been through A LOT and it still looks as good, and functions as good as the day I bought it. Sadly, after two years of daily recharging the battery doesnt do its normal 8 hours of life, I have to now settle for 5.

P.S. All laptops are built in chinese sweatshops by the same 3 companies.

Atlanta93LE

iTrader: (5)

Not to step on any toes, but I have an old Dell D400 that kicks my **** for traveling and tuning. Still.

jayc72

iTrader: (14)

I've had 3 different Dell laptops (8200,9100,6400). All were decent machines. Build quality nowhere as nice as the pre-Lenovo IBM Thinkpads however. I have zero experience with Lenovo Thinkpads. Althought I have had lots of experience with Lenovo/IBM M series PCs. The quality of the PCs didn't change one bit. Anyway the Dells aren't as solid and are heavy as ****, lots of case flex and slop in the fit and finish. The plastics seem harder and more brittle. However the Dell's are a lot cheaper, get more bang for your buck for sure than you do with the Thinkpads.

I now own a MAC. More intelligent packaging, better build quality, lighter, surely as rugged. Better batter life, we'll see how the logevity of the battery plays out.

I doubt I will ever purchase another "PC" laptop again. I'm running 10.5 with Fusion for Windows apps. I'm not a MAC guy, but I can't ignore the superiority of the MacBook Pro.

Have had to deal with Dell a couple of times on issues (one dead video card (8200) and a dieing hardrive (6400)). I'd rather smash my ***** over and over again with a meat tenderizer than call those ******* idiots again. My experience with Apple tech support has been zero (my Macbook is only a year old), I've dealt with IBM on servers and they were generally quite good. Since Dell has moved all consumer level support out of Canada/US they have been sucking ***. The Jury is out on Apple.

I personally won't keep a laptop more than 3 years that I use every day. But then again I don't pay for my laptops either.

ChairFaceChippendale

iTrader: (1)

i've owned 3 dell's (two desktops and one laptop) and haven't had big complaints with any of them yet. my laptop has seen some pretty rough use as i use it for a scan tool when needed. i've dropped it a few times and exposed it to all kinds of temperature extremes and it's taken it all in stride.

I don't know if i'd bother getting another simply because whatever laptop i get next is going to be as small as possible as it will probably see more car usage.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

My Dell laptop sucks. Don't mind the Desktop in the least.